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Discussion Topic: converting aquafibre 42' to liveaboard?
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jimble |
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Does anyone have any thoughts or comments on converting a fibre glass broads cruiser with no insulation to a liveaboard?
many thanks
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Mercator |
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I suppose it depends on finance available . if it was me considering this , I would take everything off, blank canvas , insulate - double glaze - and rebuild the interior to suit our needs.
Steve & Maggie.
Not quite an ancient mariner ..... though some say he was at sea before Pontius was a pilate !
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annville |
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Jim FIRST get a mooring with electricity that you can afford. What type of boat? A bath tub type would be best, strip out fixed seating etc, rewire with artic cable run in Hep 2 O water pipe or similar it makes it easier to replace or add to ,and where possible fit lots of double switched sockets and a large consumer board with R C D and M C B switches they are a lot easier to switch back on if they trip out than mess with fuze wire or fuzes in the dark.Fit a four stage charger/ pure sine wave inverter, max amount of solar panels possible with a good controler. spray foam top to bottom and below water line,then repanel with ply its warmer and looks better, fit radiators or skirting rads with a domestic type diesel boiler like a Hurricane , they can cycle on/of as in a household one and are more fuel efficient and easier to service and repair and no dearer than marine ones but do take more space. fit the largest waste tank you can ditto fresh water tank both on central line below the floor/deck. lay a layer of insulation on floor and cover with ply not forgetting to cut access panels where necessary,Biggest fridge you can fit in.Double glaze windows with acrylic and velcro panels will help to stop condensation.Don't forget your comfort, you need more the longer you are on a boat as time goes by.Don't skrimp.your health is important.OR camp cheaply and get a wood burner and a sheet of canvas.How much can you afford to construct your dream?. John
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jimble |
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Hi John, thanks so much for your comments, you've given me a lot to think about! lots for me to look up on google. how thick would you need spray foam on a fibre glass boat, less than a steel hull? I've read suggestions of 50mm thick for a steel narrow boat.
have come across aerogel thermal blankets and wondering about them for insulation
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annville |
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Hi Jim The thicker the better, but practicalities must come into play 2"=50mm would be fine a 1/2" is better than nothing. the problem you get with padding is it can't get in the cracks or corners you then get condensation=smell/mould/rot spray gets in all areas and sticks to the surface leaving no surface uncovered.and can be squirted in hard to reach parts It is surprisingly accurate in application not as messy as you might think, check the operator's last job.Boats get a lot of condensation when lived on during the winter they are also difficult to vent without getting a draft unlike a house. A wood burner helps in this that's why lots of liveaboards use them but very difficult to regulate thats why you see them on a freezing day with the door/windows open. and can be dangerous if left unattended when you go to work/shopping or they go out so need relighting. So max insulation is the safest and cheapest living environment together with radiators of some sort heated with diesel/heating oil that can be left running unattended safely and regulated with a timer/temp. John
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CaptBryan |
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I have always considered steel a better bet for all year round habitation. Whether traditional cruiser, wide beam barge or Dutch Barge they take the sprayed on insulation very well. If I had to live afloat all year in Northern Europe it would be a steel barge, insulated hull and superstructure and radiator heating.
Captain Howe.
The Eagle may soar majestic,
but you don't suck a Stoat
into your jet engines.
Please leave the water and
banks as you would wish to
find them.
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Jan-16-2016 @ 8:29 PM
